Photography

Stone Lagoon

What attracted me to Stone Lagoon was the beautiful refections in the lagoon. I photographed it early in the day with fog still on the water and later in the day.

Stone Lagoon breaches its 1.5-mile ocean barrier much less frequently than Big Lagoon; years may elapse between breaks. Watch for river otters or Roosevelt elk that graze south of Stone Lagoon.

Humboldt Lagoons State Park lies on the sandy, windswept edge of ocean and forest. Formed by the clash of two tectonic plates, it’s part of the largest lagoon system in the United States. Forty miles north of Eureka, the park includes Big Lagoon, Stone Lagoon, and Freshwater Lagoon, as well as Dry Lagoon, which is now a marsh, bordered by dunes, forests, prairies, and coastal scrub. With such varied habitats, wildlife thrives. On a single visit, you can see whales and elk, trout and salmon, pelicans and woodpeckers.

Oregon Sunsets

When I reached Harris Beach there was some smoke in the air from a forest fire in central Oregon. This created a dark red tinge in the air and a bright golden sun. At Shore Acres State Park in Oregon there was a beautiful sunset over the Seal and Sea Lion colony. Twilight was a light blue over the water. At Cape Arago State Park at the golden hour during twilight it cast a glow over the shoreline.

Oregon Sea Stacks

Sutter Buttes

Super Blue Blood Moon

Super Blue Blood Moon January 31st, 2018. Visible in the western hemisphere for the first time in 152 years. The U.S. won't see another super blue blood trio until 2037. The second full moon of the calendar month is called a blue moon. It is called a supermoon because it's especially close to the Earth, making it appear larger and brighter than usual. It was also a total lunar eclipse. That's why this is also called a blood moon As the moon makes this close, full moon approach to the Earth, it's going to pass through the Earth's shadow and the Earth's shadow is going to cause the moon to appear a deep red color.

Klamath Basin Eagles

Barn Owls

The Barn Owl is a medium sized owl with no ear-tufts and a heart-shaped face. These pale, nearly worldwide birds are closely associated with man through their traditional use of barn lofts and church steeples as nesting sites. The species name "alba" refers to the colour white.Ghostly pale and strictly nocturnal, Barn Owls are silent predators of the night world. Lanky, with a whitish face, chest, and belly, and buffy upperparts, this owl roosts in hidden, quiet places during the day. By night, they hunt on buoyant wingbeats in open fields and meadows.

Males: great variety in plumage (feather coloring), chest and belly range in color from white to buff to light brown; back is usually rusty brown with some barring and spotting

Great Horned Owl - Wild

Great horned owl in the forest of Gray Lodge Wildlife Refuge in California. (Group of 3 photos)

At the Petroglyph Point section of the Lava Beds National Monument a former island we saw ancient carvings.In the walls high above flew Prairie Falcons. In the large monolith there were cracks where we found a female Great Horned Owl.All Photos Copyright Francesca Scalpi

Eurasian Eagle Owl

Juvenile Bald Eagles

There is a difference between a juvenile and an adult bald eagle. Adult Bald Eagles have white heads and tails with dark brown bodies and wings. Their legs and bills are bright yellow. Immature birds have mostly dark heads and tails; their brown wings and bodies are mottled with white in varying amounts. Young birds attain adult plumage in about five years. Shown here are a 1st year and 4th year. A 1st year bald eagle has no white and a dark beak. The fourth year bald eagle is large and heavy-bodied. Similar to adult but with some dark smudging on white head. Heavy yellow bill.

Mating Bald Eagles

More than the act of taking the picture I enjoy observing nature and its behaviors. We were granted a peek into a beautiful moment between a female and male pair of bald eagles. She getting the nest ready while he hunts for better nesting material. In the nest we witness a moment of affection between them. The actual mating was filmed on video. Select stills of the video provided.Location: Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge - CaliforniaDate: 2/12/2016 Time: 3:15pmAll photos are copyright Francesca Scalpi

Jenner Bald Eagles

At the mouth of the Russian River where the river meets the Pacific Ocean we have witnessed Bald Eagles catching, stealing and eating there catch, These photos where shot at the mouth of the river in Jenner, California.Photos Copyright Francesca Scalpi

Bald Eagle - Wild

River Otters

These River Otters were photographed in the Yolo Wildlife Basin. More photos coming soon!

Clydesdales

Clydesdales are usually bay in color, but roan, black, grey, and chestnut also occur. Most have white markings, including white on the face, feet, legs and occasional body spotting (generally on the lower belly). There is a herd of Clydesdales in Sonoma that I love to photograph. They show great affection with each other. I also loved the variety of colors and markings.

Burrowing Owls

Males: head, back, and chest are brown with white spotting, belly white with dark barringFemales: similar to male, but with heavier barring and spottingYoung: less barring; brown chest, buff colored belly

BURROWING OWL DIET:Arthropods like beetles, crickets, and scorpions; small mammals such as voles; sometimes reptiles and amphibians

BURROWING OWL VOICE:When disturbed in the nest, will imitate the sound of a rattle snake to scare off predators

Males: a soft coo coooo or a multi-noted warbled batch of coos; also a series of high-pitched, raspy “chack” or “cheh” notes

Females: a series of down-slurred notes or a warble

BURROWING OWL NESTING:Nest Site: in burrow in flat or slightly elevated areas; burrows are usually made by mammals like ground squirrels, prairie dogs, badgers, etc, and are “renovated” by the owl

Eggs: 6-11 eggsIncubation: 28-30 days

BURROWING OWL HUNTING HABITS:Usually crepuscular, but can be found hunting anytime of day or night; walks, hops, or runs on the ground after prey; also hunts from perch; sometimes caches prey in or around burrow

BURROWING OWL CONSERVATION STATUS: Not globally threatened, but listed as Endangered in some U.S. states and parts of Canada, a Species of Special Concern in parts of U.S., and Threatened in parts of Canada.

Hare

Central Coast

Landscapes in Black & White

Landscapes can take on another dimension in Black & White. A sculptural beauty in the natural world. My i nspiration for photographing landscapes and rural life are Ansel Adams and Minor White. Ansel Adams photographed landscapes whose horizon are very high in the frame, giving favor to the landscape below. Minor White is one of the masters of photographic modernism. White sought to photograph things not only for what they are but also for what they may suggest, and his pictures teem with symbolic and metaphorical allusions.All Photos Copyright Francesca Scalpi

Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes

Old Barns

The Sierra's

The Sierra Nevada is a mountain range in the western United States, between the Central Valley of California and the Basin and Range Province. The vast majority of the range lies in the state of California.

Some parts of the Sierras I photographed just experience a large forest fire. The dramatic clouds, scorched earth and burnt trees made this images ideal for Black and White images.

All Photos Copyright Francesca Scalpi

Nature in Black & White

This series is about the form and surface of the natural world, as realized through light and shadow. It is through this exploration of abstraction that I find the sculptural beauty in the natural world.

I am inspired by Edward Weston's modernist style and his passion love of nature and form in his still lifes. My photograph of the lotus seed pod is all about the sculpture form and texture.

Robert Mapplethrope's flowers and still lifes of timeless elegence. Arranged with his sense of balance and meticulously lit. My photos of the Cally Lillies were shot with a balance of natural light and shade.

Common Dolphins

I love the way dolphins glide through the waves of a wake on a bow. The Common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) where photographed in the Channel Islands.

Copyright Francesca Scalpi

Risso's Dolphins

Their physical appearance is unique and the numerous scars, from their major prey item, squid, and made by other Risso's dolphins, give them peculiar markings. The amount of white scarring generally increases with age and older individuals can have a notably white head because of this. Risso's dolphins are also the only species of cetacean to possess a distinct vertical crease on its forehead; this is more pronounced in calves. I have photographed them in the Channel Islands (Southern California) and the outer Monterey Bay (Northern California)

Blue Whales

Blue whales are the largest animals ever known to have lived on Earth. These magnificent marine mammals rule the oceans at up to 100 feet (30 meters) long and upwards of 200 tons (181 metric tons).This Blue whale was photographed off of the Channel Islands in Southern California.

Humpback Whale

Photos of Humpback Whales in the Channel Island off of Santa Barbara.All Photos Copyright Francesca Scalpi

Golden Eagles

American Kestrel

North America’s littlest falcon, the American Kestrel packs a predator’s fierce intensity into its small body. It's one of the most colorful of all raptors: the male’s slate-blue head and wings contrast elegantly with his rusty-red back and tail; the female has the same warm reddish on her wings, back, and tail.Photographed near the Cosumnes River Preserve.All Photos Copyright Francesca Scalpi

Peregrine Falcon - Falconry Bird

Peregrine Falcon - Wild

Vintage Cars & Trucks

American Architecture

Architecture speaks to my fondness for sculptural shapes. In Los Angeles there were many modern architects who made their names in Southern California area. I was honored to meet and attend several lectures by architectural photographer Julius Shulman. He was influential in how I approached architectural photography.

In this set you will see photos of Frank Llyod Wright's earliest “Usonian” house, La Miniatura is also the first residence to utilize Frank Lloyd Wright's highly inventive textile block building. It was in disrepair with a leaky roof and overgrown landscaping when the Gamble House lecture series was able to organize a tour.

His Hollyhock House takes its name from Aline Barnsdall’s favorite flower. At her request, hollyhocks were incorporated into the decorative program of the house, and stylized representations of the flower are found on the roofline, walls, columns planters and furnishings.

The Ennis House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and built by his son, Lloyd, is the last and largest of the elder Wright’s four “textile block” houses in the Los Angeles area. These homes are noted for their patterned and perforated concrete blocks, which give a unique textural appearance to both the exterior and interior.

I has a unique opportunity to hear a concert inside John Lautner's house called Silvertop in Silverlake as part of the Da Camera societies concerts in historical places.

Griffith Observatory's unique architecture and setting, compelling programmatic offerings, and cinematic exposure have made it one of the most famous and visited landmarks in southern California. It was constructed with funds from the bequest of Griffith J. Griffith. George Ellery Hale, who had overseen the creation of the great telescopes at Yerkes, Mount Wilson, and Palomar Observatories, used his knowledge to steer the overall design. Griffith Trust and Los Angeles Park Commissioners selected architects John C. Austin and Frederick M. Ashley to oversee the final plans for the new observatory building.

Photography Copyright Francesca Scalpi

Sea Ranch

"The Sea Ranch" photos were shot with a viewpoint on the landscapes images from small to large.They contain images found on the beach, wind mangled trees and wood fence to the sheep foraging on a hillside. I decided not to do these images in full color and created a gold tint infused into the black and white image.

The driftwood cross was not staged and was found on the beach. I loved that part of it was covered in sand. The sand dune has visual forms beaten by the wind and parts by the incoming tide. The time of day was critical to getting the shadow at the right spots.

This particular sea grass had this interesting types of materials, textures and shapes. The shapes are magnified by the shadows cast. The sand dune had a variety of sand grains. The angle of the dune also adds more texture to the background palette for the sea grass.

The day I was visiting there was a large herd of sheep on a hillside. The sound of the herd was very vocal and loud. Some were eating and others were very opinionated.All Photos Copyright Francesca Scalpi

Travels

Silver Gyrfalcon

The gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus) is the largest of the falcon species. They have pointed wings, but they are not as pointed or as narrow as the wings of smaller falcons. The tail is relatively long. The body is thick and powerful, particularly in females, which are substantially larger than males. Although the classic image of a Gyrfalcon is a regal white bird with black spotting, the birds occur in shades of white, gray, and dark brown. In North America, gray birds are more numerous than the other two morphs. Adults are heavily barred on the back, wings, and tail, with spotted underparts. Juveniles are heavily streaked; the flight feathers of dark juveniles are lighter and contrast with the rest of the wing. They hunt primarily birds in open country, sometimes flying high and attacking from above, but more often approaching fast and low, hugging ground contours. They often perch on the ground.

Northern Pygmy Owl

A plump little owl with short wings and long tail; yellow eyes, yellowish- white beak, dark, white-ringed “false eyes” on back of head

Males: grayish-brown with fine white spotting

Females: tend to be slightly darker than males

Young: spotting on head, dark beak

OTHER NAMES:

California Pygmy Owl, Mountain Pygmy Owl

FAMILY: Strigidae

CLOSEST RELATIVE: Cape Pygmy Owl

NORTHERN PYGMY OWL SIZE:

Females tend to be slightly larger than males

Height: Males 16-18 cm (6.3-7.1 in), Females 16-18 cm (6.3-7.1 in)

Weight: Males 62g (2.2 oz), Females 72g (2.5 oz)

Wingspan Both: 38cm (15.0 in)

NORTHERN PYGMY OWL RANGE:

Western North America, from southeastern Alaska and British Columbia south to California, Arizona, and northern Mexico

NORTHERN PYGMY OWL HABITAT:

Mostly coniferous and deciduous forest edges

NORTHERN PYGMY OWL DIET:

Main foods taken include small to medium sized birds, such as waxwings and chickadees; small mammals, such as mice, voles and shrews; sometimes insects, such as beetles and moths; occasionally small reptiles and amphibians

NORTHERN PYGMY OWL VOICE:

Primary song is a series of evenly spaced high pitched “toots”, but a variety of trills, twitters, and chirps can be heard, especially near nest.

NORTHERN PYGMY OWL NESTING:

Nest Site: cavity nester; nests in holes made by woodpeckers; will also use nest boxes

Eggs: 5-7 eggs

Incubation: 27-29 days

NORTHERN PYGMY OWL HUNTING HABITS:

Hunts during day but also during crepuscular period. Primarily a perch and pounce hunter but known to raid nests of passerines and woodpeckers.

NORTHERN PYGMY OWL CONSERVATION STATUS:

Not globally threatened, though apparently declining in many places in western North America.

All Photos Copyright Francesca Scalpi

Birds of Prey

Birds of Prey are always on the lookout for its next meal. These birds have been photographed in the Pacific flyaway from Sacramento Wildlife Refuge, Yolo Bypass, CosumnesRiver Preserve, Colusa Wildlife Refuge. In the Russian River and along the coast. Redtailed Hawks, Osprey, Turkey Vultures, Bald Eagles and Perigrine Falcon.All Photos Copyright Francesca Scalpi

Belted Kingfisher

With its top-heavy physique, energetic flight, and piercing rattle, the Belted Kingfisher seems to have an air of self-importance as it patrols up and down rivers and shorelines. It nests in burrows along earthen banks and feeds almost entirely on aquatic prey, diving to catch fish and crayfish with its heavy, straight bill. These ragged-crested birds are a powdery blue-gray; males have one blue band across the white breast, while females have a blue and a chestnut band.Photographed near Cosumnes River PreserveAll Photos Copyright Francesca Scalpi

By The Sea

Jenner by the Sea

Armstrong Woods

Sequoia & Kings Canyon

"I never saw a Big Tree that had died a natural death," John Muir wrote of the giant sequoia. "Barring accidents they seem to be immortal, being exempt from all diseases that afflict and kill other trees. Unless destroyed by man, they live on indefinitely until burned, smashed by lightning, or cast down by storms, or by the giving way of the ground on which they stand."Sequoia & Kings Canyon - This dramatic landscape testifies to nature's size, beauty, and diversity--huge mountains, rugged foothills, deep canyons, vast caverns, and the world's largest trees. These two parks lie side by side in the southern Sierra Nevada east of the San Joaquin Valley. Weather varies a lot by season and elevation, which ranges from 1,370' to 14,494'. Sequoias grow at 5,000 - 7,000', above usual snowline.

Open Sea

At the Monterey Aquariums Open Sea you have a million gallon aquarium with a 90 foot window to view the tanks inhabitants. The light from above streams rays into the aquarium offering unique reflections.

Sperm Whale

On a bird and whale watching trip off of Monterey a Sperm whale was spotted in the distance. The marine biologist stated this is the first Sperm whale they have seen in over 5 years. The rough seas and high winds made photographing the whale very difficult.

Grey Whales

Gray whales are often covered with parasites and other organisms that make their snouts and backs look like a crusty ocean rock. These Grey whales were photographed off of Santa Barbara.

Fairy Wrasses

Fairy wrasses are known for their vibrant colors and striking patterns. The various species of Cirrhilabrus wrasses are found in the wild from the Red Sea through the Indian Ocean and across the Pacific to the Pitcairn Islands, as far north as Hawai‘i and the Ryukyu Islands of southern Japan.Photography Copyright Francesca Scalpi

Tropics

Photos of the Cook Islands of Rarotonga and Aitutaki.All Photos Copyright Francesca Scalpi

Trail of a Hundred Giants

Giant Sequoia National Forest. Thirteen interpretive stations along the mile-long Trail of a Hundred Giants introduce visitors to a splendid grove of sequoias between 500 and 1,500 years old. The trailhead, in the southern part of the Monument, is on the Western Divide Highway (a continuation of Highway 190), just across the road from Redwood Meadow Campground. With a diameter of 35 feet, the 269-foot-tall Boole Tree is, by volume, the largest tree in the Monument and the 6th largest tree in the world. It was named for the lumberman who cut all the nearby trees-and spared it-about 100 years ago.

Gold Country

California High Sierra's Gold Country life is populated with old towns whose architecture brings you back to the Gold Rush days. There are many great driving trips with majestic views, forest and streams and a postcard picture of life back in the day.All Photos Copyright Francesca Scalpi

Adobe Rd Farm

In Sonoma Count on Adobe Rd is this farm Brazil Ranches Petaluma 7 Dixon with folk art paintings of American flag and cows. These photos are 6x6 and are a 4 piece set.All Photos Copyright Francesca Scalpi

Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds fly fast and furious. The do acrobatics in the sky and can be very territorial. They have been seen taken spider webs to use to construct there nests. Every now and then they will take a break and for a few brief seconds let you take a photo.All Photos Copyright Francesca Scalpi

Black-footed Albatross

The only dark albatross of the northern Pacific Ocean, the Black-footed Albatross nests primarily on the Hawaiian Islands. It wanders widely across the northern Pacific for most of the year, and is regularly seen off the west coast of North America.Far less abundant than Laysan Albatross. Total population estimated at significantly fewer than 100,000 pairs. In the past, thousands were killed annually by drift nets and longline fisheries.Open ocean. In foraging at sea, most common over upwellings or over continental shelf, but rarely close to shore.

Sandhill Cranes

On a cloudy cold day we headed out to locate the sandhill cranes on the Pacific Flyaway migration. We saw a group of four in one of the flooded rice field. They have a very complex social body language.

Staten Island road in the Delta south of Sacramento by Consumnes River Preserve

Herons & Egrets

Herons and Egrets have a variety of shape and sizes. There are Cattle Egrets, Snowy Egrets, Great White Egrets, Great Blue Herons, Night Herons, Bitterns to name a few.All Photos Copyright Francesca Scalpi

Northern Pintail

Northern Pintail - Anas acutaSlim and long-necked, the Northern Pintail has a distinctive silhouette. The male is easy to identify by his striking markings and long tail, but even the female can be recognized by her graceful, long-necked shape.

Snow Geese

Snow Goose - Chen caerulescensThe Snow Goose is a white-bodied goose with black wingtips that are barely visible on the ground but noticeable in flight. The pink bill has a dark line along it, often called a "grinning patch" or "black lips."

Greater White-fronted Geese

Greater White-fronted Goose - Anser albifronsBreeding across the tundra from Nunavut to Siberia, across Russia, and in Greenland, the Greater White-fronted Goose has one of the largest ranges of any species of goose in the world. In North America, however, it is common only west of the Mississippi River, where it is found in large flocks in wetlands and croplands.Photography Copyright Francesca Scalpi

Tundra Swan

Tundra Swan - Cygnus columbianusThese elegant creatures—slightly smaller than our other native species, the Trumpeter Swan—nest on arctic tundra and visit the U.S. only on migration and in winter.Most have a smudge of yellow at the base of their black bill, but otherwise are pure white. Immature birds are gray-tinged on the wings, head, and neck.

Northern Harrier

The Northern Harrier is distinctive from a long distance away: a slim, long-tailed hawk gliding low over a marsh or grassland, holding its wings in a V-shape and sporting a white patch at the base of its tail. Up close it has an owlish face that helps it hear mice and voles beneath the vegetation. Each gray-and-white male may mate with several females, which are larger and brown. These unusual raptors have a broad distribution across North America and Eurasia. Photographed in the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge and Yolo Wildlife Basin in California.All Photos Copyright Francesca Scalpi

Shore Birds

Along the shoreline there is an ab and flow of bird activity that is tied to the tide, seasons, food, and weather. In this gallery you will see a variety of birds such as Sandpipers, Curlew, Dowitchers, Godwits, Killdeer, Oystercatchers, Stilts and Willets.All Photos Copyright Francesca Scalpi

Tentacles

Jellies

Jellyfish in captivity at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach (in Black & White) and Monterey Aquarium (Color) in California.All Photos Copyright Francesca Scalpi

Marine Fish

Beach Life

Beach Life: Life and death that is washed a shore.All Photos Copyright Francesca Scalpi

Ranch Life

Bobcat

America

Photos of life in America. The America gallery shows the variety of life in this great country. Our political system that can bring us together or divide us. There is nothing greater then our love of a parade, a sports game, and most of all our free speech. Views of life in the country or the city are on display. All Photos Copyright Francesca Scalpi

Sculptural Views of Bohemia

My goal was to find images that had a sculptural quality, represented a period in time and spoke of the culture of Bohemia. They were photographed in various places in Bohemia (Czech Republic).

The digital process included variety of custom digital filters, several programs and techniques to create the final artwork. The result is a detailed image that has a dimensional with a transparent tint of color. These are images that must be seen in person to see the full effect.

They are professionally printed on Kodak metallic paper with high gloss spray. You can order them in the following print sizes 6x6, 8x8, 10x10, 12x12 or larger. A variety of frame or stand mounts are available.All Photos Copyright Francesca Scalpi

Windows

This series entitled "Windows" are photographs that I selected that tell a visual story. The first in this series are three photos of The House of the Minute in Prage. The house “At the Minute” at the Prague Old Town Square is a typical Prague Renaissance house, adorned with numerous sgraffitoes. The famous writer Franz Kafka lived there with his parents at the end of the 19 th century.All Photos Copyright Francesca Scalpi

I Love A Parade

We love parades. The bands, floats, culture and the excitement. Living in New York part of growing up was going to a parade. Or watching one on TV. Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade or the Rose Bowl on New Years Day. In New York City the land of immigrants you can see it on display down Fifth Avenue. Everyone comes out to celebrate their heritage or their lifestyle.All Photos Copyright Francesca Scalpi

Natures Shapes

In this gallery I have focused on how nature can create shapes and beauty in the sky and influence the visual elements of the landscape.

Storm clouds provide the shadows and the golden hour of twilight the warm colors of gold. Both painting the rolling hills of Sonoma.

In a variety of photos you can see the shape and density of clouds in nature.

Photography Copyright Francesca Scalpi

Natures Abstracts

In the natural world there are living things, filtered light, textures on objects that transcend the material world into abstract art. In this gallery I share with you some of those items I have photograph specifically for the purpose of creating abstract art.

All Photos Copyright Francesca Scalpi

American White Pelican

American White Pelicans are highly gregarious birds that can often be found in large groups.They are skilled swimmers, but do not use the "plunge-dive" technique while hunting as the Brown Pelican does. Instead they simply dip their heads underwater to scoop up fish.Range: North America, Central America

Caribbean Flamingo

Caribbean Flamingo - Phoenicopterus ruberFlamingos are highly gregarious and live in large, noisy flocks, making a wide variety of volcalizations that include honks and barks. Flamingo are strong flyers, reaching speeds of 35 miles per hour. They are an ancient group of birds. According to fossil evidence, they date back 10 million years.

Frogs & Turtles

Tule Lake NWR

Photographed during the winter migration on the Pacific Flyaway. There were thousands of snow geese at Tule Lake when we arrived.

Abbotts Lagoon

Abbotts Lagoon Trail is a 3.6 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Inverness, California that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round.The upper lagoon is a fresh water impoundment which overflows into a lower brackish level with occasional winter tidal exchange. The eastern shore of the lagoon is covered with old growth northern coastal scrub including coyote bush, yellow bush lupine, sword fern and California blackberry.

The north wing is bound and protected by acres of rolling sand dunes and dense dune vegetation; the larger south wing is more exposed and separated from the turbulent coast by only a thin strip of sand. Winter storms sometimes breach this tenuous barrier; when so, accumulating sands can eventually seal off the opening.

The 200 acre lagoon complex is fed by two fresh water ponds that attract of waterfowl and wildlife. Western Grebes, Pied-Billed Grebes, Coots, Caspian Terns, the endangered Snowy Plover and several migratory bird species call Abbotts Lagoon home.

Look for deer, fox, coyote and quail around the lagoon. Seals and sea lions occasionally visit the beach, while seasonal whale migrations can be seen from high points over the lagoon.